County shares census information, locations

Special to the Times-News

Wednesday

Mar 24, 2010 at 4:11 PM

In the last two weeks, many Henderson County residents have received their census forms in the mail. County officials are getting the word out about the importance of taking the time to fill out and return the short questionnaire. According to the county, the information provided in the census is important to Henderson County in a number of ways:u Every year the federal government distributes more than $400 billion (over $1,300 per person) to state and local governments based on census data. Accurate data can ensure local communities get their share of federal funds for schools, housing assistance and rehabilitation loans, roads and bridges, public transportation, public safety, hospitals and other community needs.u Local population data is also used by state government as a basis for distributing shared revenue streams such as sales taxes and gasoline taxes. u Census data will determine how many seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives and the shape of new congressional districts. Local city councils and county commissioner districts may be redrawn based on decennial census data.u Census data about patterns of growth is used to help decision makers in local planning efforts — including determining where new parks and recreational programs are needed, forecasting future transportation, housing and school needs, making sure adequate public safety staff are allocated. u Census data is used by local Chambers of Commerce to provide statistical profiles to potential business recruits. u Private businesses use census data to help locate sites for new grocery stores, pharmacies, distribution centers, entertainment and recreational venues, etc. u In general a complete census count of all residents where they live can help support a community's improved quality of life.According to Planning Director Anthony Starr, "For every person that is not counted in Henderson County we lose $1,200 in sales tax. If 1 percent of Henderson County's population goes uncounted, that equates to $1.2 million in sales tax revenue lost." If you have not received your census form in the mail, you can visit the following locations and pick one up:u National Guard Armory on Spartanburg Highway u Dana Community Center (2829 Upward Road)u Will have a Questionnaire Assistance Representative available from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Monday-Fridayu Boys & Girls Club (1304 Ashe Street)u Will have a Questionnaire Assistance Representative available from 2-5 p.m. Monday-Fridayu Henderson County Planning Department (100 North King Street)u Will have a Questionnaire Assistance Representative available from 1-4 p.m. Monday-Fridayu Henderson County DSS and Health Department Building (1200 Spartanburg Highway)u Blue Ridge Health Center (2579 Chimney Rock Road)u Azteca (148 Henderson Crossing Plaza)u Will have a Spanish speaking Questionnaire Assistance Representative available from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturdayu Blue Ridge Health Center – Reynolds Pediatrics (1801 Asheville Highway)u Henderson Community Co-op (715 Old Spartanburg Highway)If you do not return a form by mail you may receive a visit from a census taker sometime between April and July. If a census taker comes to your door, first ask to see their ID. All census workers carry official government badges marked with just their name; they may also have a "U.S. Census Bureau" bag.The census taker will never ask to enter your home. If you're still not certain about their identity, please call the Regional Census Centers to confirm they are employed by the Census Bureau.Answer the census form questions for your entire household (you must be at least 15 years old to answer questions) so that the census taker can record the results for submission to the Census Bureau.For more information or any other questions regarding the census, please contact the census office in Asheville at (828) 239-1240.

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